More bands will be added in the weeks to come. Secret Stages, now in its third year, bills itself as "Birmingham's Music Discovery Festival." Up-and-coming acts perform at concert venues in and around the Second Avenue North entertainment district, between 22nd and 24th Streets. There's also an outdoor stage.

Early-bird VIP passes go on sale at 10 a.m. June 14 through the festival website, priced at $45. These two-day passes include admission to all Secret Stages venues, access to a VIP lounge, food, drinks and other perks.

A Secret Stages preview party is planned for 9 p.m. June 20 at Bottletree Cafe, 3719 Third Ave. South, with Floating Action, William Tyler and W. Stewart. Admission is $8, free with a VIP pass.

An Aug. 1 kickoff party for Secret Stages is linked to Birmingham's 50 Years Forward campaign, marking the 50-year anniversary of pivotal events in the civil-rights movement. The Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir will perform at the free 6 p.m. event at the WorkPlay theater, 500 23rd St. South. Donations will be collected for the choir's scholarship fund, which helps high-school seniors with music education.

Also, Secret Stages is partnering with Scrollworks, a nonprofit that provides instruments, materials and lessons to needy youths. Twenty percent of the festival's net profits will go to Scrollworks, a spokesman said. Also, Secret Stages expects to collect instruments and music books as donations to Scrollworks.